McNally to join Bloomsbury

Rebecca McNally, fiction publishing director at Macmillan Children’s Books, is to join Bloomsbury, taking the role of publishing director and international editor-in-chief for children's books.

She replaces Sarah Odedina, who leaves on Friday (9th September) to head up a new children's publisher being started by Bonnier.

McNally will report to Bloomsbury children's m.d. Emma Hopkin, who herself joined the publisher from Macmillan earlier this year. McNally, who has published books including Alyson Noël's Immortals series and Andrew Lane's Young Sherlock Holmes for Macmillan, as well as authors Charlie Higson and Meg Rosoff in her previous role at Puffin, called it "a truly irresistible job".

Hopkin described herself as "thrilled" to be working with McNally again, saying: “Her commitment to and knowledge of children’s trade publishing are second to none—and her commercial eye and acquisition talent are obvious in her roll call of bestselling authors.”

Editorial director Emma Matthewson and senior commissioning editor Ele Fountain will report to McNally. An editorial director for illustrated publishing will also be recruited.

Meanwhile, Macmillan Children's Books has appointed Ruth Alltimes as publishing director, fiction. Stepping into the role from her post of editorial director with immediate effect, she will report to Belinda Rasmussen, publisher of Macmillan Children's Books who joins the company later in the autumn.

Alltimes joined MCB in 2005, becoming editorial director three years ago. She said: "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to build on our recent successes and to shape an exciting future for our children's fiction publishing, working with a unique stable of gifted authors and a wonderful in-house team." She has worked with authors including Emma Kennedy and Chris Riddell.

Polly Nolan is returning to MCB on 3rd October as associated editorial director, working in a temporary capacity through to Christmas. She will report to Alltimes.

Pan Macmillan m.d. Anthony Forbes Watson said: "Ruth is a very talented young publisher. She has played a key role in building the fast growing fiction list and has led her talented editorial team with great assurance during Rebecca McNally’s recent maternity leave . . .

"MCB is flying, having grown 14% last year and by a further 14% this year to date.”

He added: “I’d like to thank Rebecca too, for everything she has done to refine, broaden and strengthen the fiction list, and to bring on a talented and commercial editorial team.”